Butterflies at Home



Hoary Comma Butterfly

The Hoary Comma (Polygonia gracilis) is found in boreal North America from Alaska, across southern Canada to New England and the Maritime Provinces and south to New Mexico from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean.

The upperside of male is a dark red-orange with dark brown spots and marks. The wings are ragged. Silver spot at center of hindwing is fishhook, or comma, shaped.

Similar in size and coloration to the Eastern Comma.

Wing spread: 1 1/2" - 2 1/4"

Host plants: Mock and western azalea, currants, and gooseberries

Hoary Comma Butterfly (dorsal view)
Hoary Comma Butterfly

Hoary Comma Butterfly showing its namesake silver "Comma" (ventral View)
Hoary Comma Butterfly

Hoary Comma Butterfly
Hoary Comma Butterfly

Another "Comma" family member ... the Eastern Comma Butterfly
Eastern Comma Butterfly ... wings closed
By Kaldari (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons